What Jesus Did! 'The Fig Tree' — Mark 11:12-14

Friday, August 12, 2016

The next day, Jesus was leaving Bethany. He was hungry. Jesus saw a fig tree with leaves. So Jesus went to the tree to see if it had any figs growing on it. But Jesus found no figs on the tree. There were only leaves. It was not the right time for figs to grow. So Jesus said to the tree, "People will never eat fruit from you again." Jesus' followers heard him say this.

— Mark 11:12-14 NLT

Key Thought

What? What in the world is this about? ... Yeah, that's most people's response to this story. Jesus uses his miraculous powers to curse the fig tree. Our human viewpoint looks on this as capricious and unfair. It's not even the season for figs and yet Jesus curses it because it is fruitless. Clearly, Jesus is trying to teach his close followers—and us in the process—something very important. As in some other stories and events in the New Testament, it is important that we focus on the one key point of the story. As this story unfolds, it is possible to see that the lack of fruit on the fig tree foreshadows Jerusalem and all that it symbolizes with the Temple—the central religious place for God's people. Jesus will die there. He will die for the people there ... and people all over the world. He will come looking to see if there is fruit as a result of his life, sacrifice, and resurrection. There will be choices to make. There will be a season of decision and fruit-bearing. Jerusalem had its time. Now it is our own time of decision and continuous fruit-bearing. What will our future be?

Today's Prayer

O Father in heaven, I choose to honor Jesus and trust him to be my Savior. I believe he is the Christ, the Messiah your prophets promised would come. I want him to reign as Lord in my life. I open my life for the Holy Spirit to do his work of transformation in me ... conforming me into the character of your Son and transforming me into a temple where you live. My prayer is that your holy fruit be formed in me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Matthew 7:20

John 15:1-8

Philippians 1:11

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.